Tag Archives: AQUINO

(Updated, 2:50 p.m.) The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former president Benigno Aquino III for usurpation of authority and graft over his alleged hand in the botched 2015 Mamasapano operation that cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) cops.

In a statement Friday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing of criminal charges against Aquino for his liability in the Mamasapano massacre.

In her resolution, Ombudsman Morales ordered the filing of charges against Aquino for Usurpation of Authority (Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code) and violation of Section 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

Standing as his co-conspirators, are former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Alan Purisima and Director Getulio Napeñas of the Special Action Force (SAF).

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has not made any public clarifications, more so a public apology – at least not yet – as of Thursday, June 8, even though Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV earlier said Aguirre told him he would do so that day.

“Nag-usap na kami (We already talked). He already apologized. He told me, with all the reports, he got confused. Na-confuse daw po siya sa mga reports na pumasok sa kanya (He said he got confused with all the reports that he received). Humingi siya ng paumanhin (He apologized). He said he would publicly clarify and apologize today,” Aquino said in a press conference on Thursday.

Aguirre evaded the media all afternoon during the 116th anniversary of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) in Pasay City.